Response from the Good Catch Initiative

London 2012 commits to sustainable seafood

Press release from the Good Catch initiative, 11 December 2009

The London 2012 Olympic Games will only serve sustainable seafood, according to the Food Vision published by organisers this week.  Set to be one of the largest catering operations in British history, the Olympic Games will be putting sustainability first, showcasing the best of British food while ensuring responsible sourcing is a priority.

The 82 tonnes of seafood that will be served during the 2012 Games must be “demonstrably sustainable.”  All wild-caught fish served must meet the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the scheme on which the Marine Stewardship Council certification is based. The organisers, who will be feeding 15,000 athletes over the course of the Games, also state that no fish will be served that is identified by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) as “fish to avoid.”

Sam Wilding of the Marine Conservation Society applauded the announcement, saying, “This shows true commitment to sustainability by the London Olympic Games organisers. The 2012 Olympic Games is a pivotal opportunity to showcase the importance of sustainable seafood choices to the thousands of athletes and spectators who will be served. With the right support, such as through the Good Catch initiative, more catering businesses can go for seafood sustainability gold.”
 
Emily Howgate of Seafood Choices and coordinator of the Good Catch initiative said, “The Olympics tendering process is going to be top of mind for many caterers over the coming year. Through Good Catch activities, and presence at events such as Hotelympia, caterers can be equipped with the know-how to buy, serve and promote sustainable seafood options – something that is clearly key for the 2012 Olympic Games”.
 
Good Catch will be at Hotelympia (28th February – 4th March 2010), the catering sector’s largest trade event, stand number S2615. Featuring guest chefs throughout the five-day show, Good Catch will be giving caterers easy access to the information they need to ensure their seafood meets the sustainability requirements of the Olympics.
 
EDITOR’S NOTES:

• Good Catch, an initiative of the Marine Conservation Society, the Marine Stewardship Council, SeaWeb’s Seafood Choices and Sustain, the alliance for better food and farming, is a collaborative project that helps the foodservice sector navigate seafood sustainability.  It directs foodservice professionals to a range of user-friendly materials and activities on sustainable seafood, including The Good Catch Manual: a rough guide to seafood sustainability. The Manual includes MCS seafood ratings, information on Marine Stewardship Council-certified fisheries, top tips to ask suppliers, all in an easy-to-use format. Together the Good Catch workshops, fieldtrips, publications and online tools create a collection of clear, consistent information and practical support.  

For more information, visit www.sustainweb.org/goodcatch/.